History of Yellowstone

The history of Yellowstone National Park is a fascinating one. If you've always dreamed of visiting or you're a frequent Yellowstone camper or lodge guest, you'll love reading about its history as well.

Bison grazing in the park

About Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is the United States' first national park. According to a recent interview with Janet Chapple, author of Yellowstone Treasures, the area that the park encompasses was the topic of many incredible stories in the mid-19th century. According to Chapple, "People began to hear and read stories about a fabulous place in the Rocky Mountains where hot water spouted out of the ground and petrified trees were standing around, and there was a deep and colorful canyon with wonderful waterfalls."

Thanks to these stories, there were at least three groups of explorers who decided to see these sights for themselves from 1869 through 1871. They wrote about what they saw for the popular magazines of the time and an official report for the government was created.

Eventually, members of Congress decided it might be a good idea to set aside land that couldn't be used for agriculture or mining as a place "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the bill which created the world's first national park--Yellowstone National Park. Today it is forever preserved for our enjoyment.

Park Explorers in the History of Yellowstone

American Indians

The earliest explorers of the park were several tribes of American Indians. They found many great resources within Yellowstone, such as the Yellowstone obsidian rock which was used to make arrowheads.

Because of the severe winters that Yellowstone experiences, very few Indian tribes lived there all year round. Anthropologists believe that most tribes only visited the area to hunt and gather obsidian for arrowhead making.

Early Explorers

Later, from 1805 to 1814, explorers came into the park to document it's many wonders. John Colter was the first white man to discover the region and he shared his discovery with famed explorer William Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame. Lewis and Clark crudely mapped the areas they explored, and as other explorers followed, the maps gradually became more detailed.

The Fur Trade

The fur trade is the next part of yellowstone history, from 1818 to 1842. Trappers made reports of "boiling springs," "boiling lakes" and a rich bounty of furs. For some, the Indians provided them with furs from elk, sheep, panther and others.

Trappers and fur hunters were also known for their tall tales and exaggerations of the many unique features found in Yellowstone. Each time a story was told, it became more and more incredulous until it because obvious many years later that these stories, while based of fact to some degree, were primarily told for entertainment purposes or to make the story teller into a hero of sorts.

One example of the exaggerated stories is that of the petrified forests. Trapper James Clyman told of petrified trees complete with birds of stone singing in the branches. This tale grew as it was retold, to include petrified sage hen, rabbits and other animals with petrified bushes bearing diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

Yellowstone Today

Today, Yellowstone National Park attracts millions of visitors each year. Some are interested in the exciting history of Yellowstone; others just want to enjoy the natural beauty and geological features of the park. One thing they all have is common is the place in their hearts that Yellowstone holds. There is something about it that draws people back again and again.

If you are planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, expect to pay a $25 entrance fee. You can also purchase annual and lifetime passes. Campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis for most of the park's campgrounds. The range in price from $12 to $35 and have various amenities. For more information, visit Yellowstone's camping page.

For more information on the history of Yellowstone National Park, visit the online history book, Yellowstone National Park, Its Exploration and Establishment by Aubrey L. Haines or check out YellowstoneTreasures.com.

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